Mozart Requiem by Candlelight

Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir and Vector Wellington Orchestra present Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Requiem Mass in D minor K626.

Karyn Grylls - conductor
Morag Atchison - soprano
Bianca Andrew - mezzo soprano
Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua - tenor
Shane Lowrencev - bass

Voices Chamber Choir New Zealand and the Vector Wellington Orchestra join forces to present Mozart’s tremendous final work, his Requiem.

The candlelit performance promises to be highly atmospheric, especially in the soaring spaces of St Paul’s Cathedral in Thorndon.

The blazing candles may also recall the 1982 movie Amadeus, which was for many listeners their first introduction to Mozart’s Requiem.

It has been said - and the movie certainly suggested - that the work contributed to Mozart’s early death. Tales of intrigue swirl around its composition, but the music itself needs no backstory to expand its fame.

Coming hot on the heels of Mozart’s extraordinary achievements in the world of opera, the Requiem breathes the same air of drama and excitement.

From its opening bars, the music grips the listener, poised between pity and anguish. For many, this is Mozart at the absolute height of his powers, writing music that steers its audience between the peace of perfect consolation on one hand and the terror of the grave on the other.

Wellington audiences will be familiar with some of the soloists for this performance. Mezzo soprano Bianca Andrew recently garnered outstanding reviews for the warm beauty and richness of her voice, and her musical finesse, in another monumental work, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.

Leading New Zealand soprano Morag Atchison was much admired when she performed “Amadeus: Music by Mozart” in Wellington six years ago. Reviewer Lindisy Taylor described her voice as “brilliant, secure and interestingly coloured”.

Morag was paired with popular Wellington tenor Ben Makisi for that concert; this time the tenor role is held by Makisi’s protégé, Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua. Bonaventure has toured around New Zealand with Class Act Opera and Operatunity, as well as touring to Rarotonga for “Opera in Paradise”.

A newcomer for this performance is Melbourne-born bass Shane Lowrencev. A winner of numerous awards in Australia, Shane is a full-time principal artist with Opera Australia. In the past season, he sang the title roles in Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni, Escamillo in Carmen and Schaunard in La Bohème.

Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm by Peter Walls.